More than two out of three American adults are overweight or obese, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Excess weight contributes to many health problems, both physical and mental. If you need to lose weight, consider a professional weight loss program to help you meet your goals and get healthier.

Tailored Advice and Counseling

Professional weight loss programs are perfect for people who don't know where or how to start losing weight effectively. Professional programs tailor a plan specifically to you based on your needs, motivators, and desired outcome. When you're part of a program, you can ask for personal advice related to diet, exercise, and any other weight-loss factor. 

Most programs employ dietitians or nutritionists and fitness experts to help clients reach their goals. Good professional programs also offer counseling to their clients. Counseling can help address behavioral issues related to your weight, such as emotional eating.

Counselors for weight loss programs often ask patients to keep food and exercise logs and journals to help identify potential issues.

Goal-Setting Assistance

One of the biggest advantages to starting your weight loss journey under a professional program is the help you'll get with setting goals. When you make the decision to lose weight, you may feel like the sooner you lose it, the better. Most people who lose weight and keep it off lose weight slowly, however.

Many professional programs recommend a loss of a couple of pounds per week. You may lose weight more quickly in the beginning, but overall, a slow and steady loss is the best path to long-term success.

Feedback

When you're in a professional weight loss program, you'll get consistent feedback on your efforts. Most programs ask participants to attend regular weigh-ins to check their weight loss progress, and some also provide support online or over the phone if you can't make it to a physical location.

When you know you have someone monitoring your weight loss and cheering you on, it may help keep you more motivated to stick with it.

Feedback is also important after you've met your goal. Many weight loss programs offer ongoing support and regular check-ins with clients to help them maintain their goal weights.

Help With Other Lifestyle Factors

Professional weight loss programs can help with lifestyle factors that impact weight outside of diet and exercise habits. Many programs employ sleep specialists and mental health professionals to help clients learn how to get enough rest, better manage stress, deal with unsupportive family members and friends, and anything else that affects the weight loss process.

If you want to lose weight, talk to your first. Your doctor will let you know what's safe for you to do based on your current medical condition and your previous health history.

To learn more, contact a company that offers weight loss programs.